Sitharaman | DD News

July 3, 2026 10:11 PM

AI-ready workforce making India preferred GCC destination, says FM Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said India's AI-ready workforce and industry-backed skilling programmes are creating new opportunities for the country's middle class while making India the preferred destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Speaking at a panel discussion titled "How to Promote the Rise of a New Middle Class?" during the Rencontres Economiques d'Aix-en-Provence at Aix-Marseille University, she said the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, coupled wi...

June 24, 2026 10:17 PM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives in Chennai on two-day Tamil Nadu, Puducherry visit

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Chennai on Wednesday for a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, during which she is scheduled to attend a series of educational, developmental and public outreach programmes. Sitharaman arrived in Chennai from New Delhi and was received by BJP leaders and party workers at the Chennai International Airport. Her office shared photographs of the reception on social media, describing it as a warm welcome from party functionaries. Followin...

February 15, 2026 3:09 PM

Sitharaman discusses India-EU FTA, investments with German leadership

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman senior German leaders and industrialists during her visit to Germany, discussing bilateral trade ties in the backdrop of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and ways to scale up cooperation in manufacturing, technology and agriculture. On Saturday, Sitharaman met Lars Klingbeil, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of Germany, and discussed the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz in India in...

February 1, 2026 12:25 PM

Budget 2026: Sitharaman outlines six key interventions to sustain growth

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said the government has proposed targeted interventions across six key areas to accelerate and sustain India’s economic growth. Presenting the Union Budget in Parliament, the Finance Minister said the government remains committed to continuing reforms and maintaining steady momentum in economic policymaking. “The reform express is running on its way and will maintain its momentum to help us fulfil our Kartavya,” Sitharaman said, outlini...

February 1, 2026 12:20 PM

Budget 2026: Sitharaman allocates Rs 10000 crore to make India biopharma hub

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed a major push to India’s biopharmaceutical sector through a new Bio Pharma Shakti programme, with an allocation of ₹10,000 crore over the next five years. Presenting the Union Budget in Parliament, the Finance Minister said the initiative aims to build a strong ecosystem for biopharmaceuticals and biosimilars, strengthening domestic manufacturing and innovation capacity in the sector. Among other announcements, Sitharaman proposed scali...

January 30, 2026 8:33 PM

Sitharaman to engage with youth from across India after Union Budget 2026–27

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, will interact with around 30 college students from across the country following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27. As part of the initiative, the students will witness the live presentation of the Union Budget from the Lok Sabha Gallery on February 1, 2026, giving them a rare opportunity to observe one of the most important Parliamentary proceedings of the year firsthand. The participating students represent div...

December 20, 2025 4:10 PM

Sitharaman launches project to develop AI, STEM and robotics labs in government schools in Karnataka

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday launched a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project to develop five artificial intelligence (AI), STEM and robotics laboratories in government schools in Karnataka. The minister launched Cyient AI Labs (CyAILS) — ‘VijAIpatha’, a CSR-led national initiative aimed at democratising access to AI, STEM and robotics education in government schools in Hosapete taluka of Hampi, Karnataka. “Under the pilot, five world-class AI, STEM and robot...

December 2, 2025 1:03 PM

Sitharaman urges unified global response to emerging tax challenges at Global Forum

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the global economy is facing new and complex challenges arising from the digitalisation of economic activity and the emergence of new financial products, stressing that these issues require joint action by all jurisdictions. Addressing the 18th Global Forum Plenary Meeting in New Delhi, Sitharaman emphasised that confidentiality and cybersecurity must be maintained as countries work to strengthen information sharing. She said these are n...

September 11, 2025 3:48 PM

GST reforms in mining sector to boost housing and small enterprises

The 56th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has approved a series of tax rate changes aimed at easing costs for households, boosting the housing sector, and supporting small-scale enterprises. The council recommended lowering the GST rate on several items linked to the mining and construction sector. Marble and travertine blocks, along with granite blocks, will now attract a GST rate of 5 percent, down from the earlier 12 perc...

September 3, 2025 10:56 AM

FM Sitharaman to chair two-day GST council meet in Delhi from today

The 56th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council will begin on Wednesday in New Delhi to review proposed reductions on more than 150 items. The two-day meeting will be chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and attended by finance ministers from all states. Sitharaman said the next-generation GST reforms aim to create a transparent economy, reduce compliance burdens, and benefit small businesses. The Centre has proposed rate rationalisation under GST for the first time, int...